Calipari's former team accused of major NCAA violations

Memphis coach John Calipari yells at officials during the first half of a men's NCAA college basketball tournament regional semifinal against Missouri in Glendale, Ariz., Thursday, March 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Posted: Wed 9:25 PM, May 27, 2009&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Wed 10:12 PM, May 27, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The University of Memphis reportedly isresponding to an NCAA notice of allegations accusing the men'sbasketball program of major violations during the 2007-08 seasonunder John Calipari.

According to The Commercial Appeal, the allegations include"knowing fraudulence or misconduct" on an SAT exam by a player onthe 2007-08 team, which finished runner-up in the NCAA tourney.

Lamar Chance, spokesman for the basketball program, declinedcomment Wednesday night when contacted by The Associated Press.

The player's name was redacted in the report, obtained by TheCommercial Appeal through the Freedom of Information Act, due toprivacy laws.

The player has subsequently denied the charge, according touniversity personnel.

Memphis, which received the notice of allegations Jan. 16, isscheduled to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions June6.

Calipari, who left Memphis for Kentucky on March 31, is notnamed in the report, The Commercial Appeal said on its Web siteWednesday night.

It is also alleged that Memphis provided $2,260 in free travelto road games for an associate of a player. Those names also wereredacted in the report due to privacy laws, the paper reported. "We take it very seriously. We don't condone it," athleticdirector R.C. Johnson told the paper.

He declined to comment in detail about the allegations. "We'redoing a thorough investigation."

Johnson said the university is still working on its response tothe NCAA notice of allegations.

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